Vector Basic Interpreter Basic 80 Reference Manual - page 7
This
is
the
reference
manual for
Vector
Graphic's
implementation
of
Microsoft's
BASIC-Se,Revision 5.e,
one of the most extensive
and .high-speed
BASIC's available.
It meets the ANSIqualifications
for BASIC,as set
forth
in document BSRX3.60-l97S.
Vector Graphic is proud to offer;
the BASIC-S0
interpreter
with Vector GraPlic systems.
For readers familiar
with earlier
versions
of Microsoft BASIC,Appendix A
describes
the enhancements in Revision 5.0 over earlier
releases,
including
incanpatibilities
with them.
If you have software
written
in one of the
earlier
versions,
check
Appendix A for
new features
that
may affect
execution.
This manual covers
a number of upward compatible versions
of BASIC-Se,
specifically
the -SK,- -Extended," an; "Disk- versions.
My feature
in the
SK and Extended versions
is
available
in the Disk version.
The version
available
fran Vector Graphic is the Disk version.
Therefore,
everything
described
in this
manual is present
in the Vector Graphic implementation, no
matter ~at
version
it
is listed
under.
Most users will make use of the BASIC-aainterpreter.
(The interpreter
is a progrClll ~ich
allows entry and ed! tiB3 of BASICprograms, and executes
them line by line
W1eneverdesired.)
For certain
specialized
applications,
the Microsoft
BASIC compiler
(BASCOM)
is
also
available
through Vector
Graphic.
'lbe canpiler
allows ~u
to convert a BASIC-S0progrClll, originally
written
and debu;ged using the interpreter,
into machine language, Wlich can
then be executed at very high speed.
\\hen ~u
obtain
the canpiler,
you will
receiver
a manual detailing
its
use,
but because it may be relevent
to a
user of the BASIC-aeinterpreter,
Appendix L discusses
the BASICcanpiler
in
brief.
Note that Appendix L lists
several
features
which are present
in the
interpreter
but \tbich are absent or different
in the canpiler.
Programmers
intending
to compile
BASIC-S0 programs
must
pay attention
to
these
differences.
In a Vector Graphic canputer,
BASIC-Seruns in conjuction
with the CP/M
operating
system.
The name of the BASIC-Se interpreter
file
on the disk
supplied by Vector Graphic is -MBASIC.CQtl.
-
Therefore,
in order to call
up
the interpreter
fran the CP/Mexecutive,
do the following:
First,
if MBASIC
is not already present on the main CP/Mdiskette,
mount the BASIC-Sedisk in
drive A.
Then, following
the A> prompt,
type MaASle and then press
the
RETURNkey.
Optionally,
you can enter
one or more parameters
before
depressil'Xl RETURN,including
the name of the
BASICprogram you want to
execute,
the number of files
you want OPENat one time, and the highest
memorylocation
you want BASICto
use.
These options
are
discussed
in
Appendix D.
In this
manual,
the
term -initialization"
means the above
process, of calling
up BASIC-Se,nothil'Xl more.
Of particular
interest
is
the
option
to immediately
execute
a BASIC
program by typiB3 its
nane as a paraneter
followil'Xl the word MBASIC. This
causes
the program to be loaded, and then executed as if a RUNcommandwere
typed.
In other
words,
the
system jumps directly
into
the application
program when MBASIC
is called
up.
Further,
if you are using CP/M2, rather
than an earlier
version of CP/M, you can configure ~ur
system diskette
to
bypass the CP/M.executive and instead carry out a particular
CP/Mcommandor